What does London’s theater scene have in store for audiences in the first month of spring? Gains and losses, as always. We’ll lose a few gems, gain some new ones, and we’re here to tell you about a few right now. The city is increasingly bathed in sunlight, energy is rising, we’ve made it through winter – now is the perfect time to go to the theater. So, what and where to watch?

Alterations

National Theatre
Lyttelton TheatreLyttelton Theatre
South Bank, London SE1 9PX

Michael John Abbensetts was a playwright who gave voice to generations of Caribbean immigrants who settled in the UK. With a sharp and insightful perspective, an unwavering love for people, and a vivid and precise language, Abbensetts was the showrunner of one of the most remarkable TV series of the late ’70s, Empire Road, among many others. The first staging of Alterations also took place in the late ’70s, premiering at the New End Theatre in Hampstead, with Don Warrington in the lead role.

Alterations is a true comedy. The action takes place in a tiny room on Carnaby Street, in a tailor’s shop where two tailors start their business with nothing but a couple of sewing machines and an ironing board.

Directed by Lynette Linton and adapted by playwright Trish Cooke, this version of Alterations pays special tribute to the Windrush generation, who arrived in London in the 1970s.

The two-act play is condensed into a single 24-hour period. Within that day, Walker Holt (played by Arinzé Kene), a Guyanese tailor, lands a major order, and he and his team race against time to complete it. The play explores the ambitions of artists, the struggles of immigration, and cultural identity. It’s also a chance to reflect: how do past dreams, struggles, and realities compare to the present? Alterations is a vibrant, dynamic comedy—a heartwarming and witty rom-com (after all, Walker moves with his wife!).

Frankie Bradshaw designed the costumes and set, perfectly capturing the spirit of the 1970s while also evoking the nostalgia of post-Soviet immigrants. The stage is filled with checkered bags—the kind that many associate with the ’90s. These bags actually appeared in London about five years after the play was written, but they have become such a striking and recognizable symbol.

The Seagull

Barbican Theatre
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS

Chekhov again—don’t laugh. And yes, The Seagull again. For director Thomas Ostermeier, this is his fourth staging of the play, having previously directed productions in Amsterdam, Lausanne, and Berlin. His dedication is clear, and now he brings The Seagull to London with a truly star-studded cast, which, unsurprisingly, affects ticket prices.

Cate Blanchett plays Arkadina, Emma Corrin is Nina Zarechnaya, and Tom Burke takes on the role of Trigorin. Meanwhile, Kody Smit-McPhee plays Konstantin Treplev, his delicate and almost otherworldly face adding an unusual dimension to the character.

Unlike some of Ostermeier’s previous productions, this Seagull isn’t solely about love. In fact, love is often pushed offstage, making room for something heavier—an oppressive sense of dust-laden despair. How does one survive the race for stardom? How do you stay forever young? Is vanity a saving grace or a curse? The production is minimalist—just a single bush in the middle of the stage (is it a willow? Bamboo? A reed?). The costumes are modern and perfectly tailored, while the play itself is presented in all its raw beauty, with well-placed dramatic accents.

This Seagull has sparked more debate than any of Ostermeier’s recent works. Some accuse Blanchett of being too cold, while others are in awe of her performance. The only way to decide? See it for yourself—if you can find tickets and are willing to pay the hefty price.

Mean Girls

Savoy Theatre
Savoy Court
The Strand, London WC2R 0ET

The Mean Girls musical is nearing the end of its triumphant run. A year! Almost a full year of sold-out performances!

This stage adaptation is based on the 2004 film of the same name. High school friendships, rivalries, and drama—stories every schoolgirl knows from personal experience. Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), the production not only preserves the spirit of the film but enhances it. Tina Fey, who wrote the original screenplay, also contributed to the theatrical version.

With its boundless energy and outrageously wild musical numbers, Mean Girls has been a massive hit among teenage girls—sometimes acting as a replacement for several months of therapy. Seeing their own lives from the outside can be an eye-opening and even healing experience.

Packed with sharp jokes, witty comebacks, and a heavy dose of sarcasm, the show perfectly captures teenage dialogue and mentality. Add in dynamic choreography and high-energy performances, and you’ve got a spectacle that’s both engaging and highly entertaining.

But the show is closing soon—so grab your last chance to see it! Take your teenager for some theatrical therapy—or bring an old friend for a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Farewell Mister Haffmann

Park Theatre
Clifton Terrace
Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP

This play by French playwright Jean-Philippe Daguerre won four Molière Awards in 2018. It is almost an ancient tragedy in structure—set in Paris in 1942, during the Nazi occupation.

Joseph Haffmann, a Jewish jeweler, seeks refuge and turns to his French employee for help. He offers him—literally—golden mountains: his jewelry shop in exchange for shelter. The plan is that his employee and his wife Blanche will move into Haffmann’s apartment upstairs and run the business until Joseph can return and reclaim it. But things do not go as planned.

This highly popular play has been staged across Europe (and is one of the longest-running productions in France). It was previously performed in the UK and adapted into the French film Adieu Monsieur Haffmann, directed by Fred Cavayé, with Daniel Auteuil in the lead role.

At Park Theatre, Oscar Toeman directs, with Shakespearean actor Alex Waldmann playing Haffmann. Waldmann, known for roles like Laertes in Hamlet with Jude Law, Sebastian in Twelfth Night, and Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, brings a truly Shakespearean intensity to the role.

Mrs. President

Charing Cross Theatre
The Arches
Villiers St, London WC2N 6NL

This rich and deeply detailed play tells the story of Mary Lincoln, one of the most misunderstood First Ladies in U.S. history. A biographical study infused with emotion, it is an engaging piece, though at times overwhelmed by its abundance of details.

At its core, the play explores Mary Lincoln’s relationship with renowned photographer Matthew Brady. Hoping to restore her reputation after accusations of infidelity, she turns to Brady, who had assisted her husband’s presidential campaign. Their collaboration soon becomes a tense battle—one of artistic dominance, power struggles, and gender roles.

Directed by Bronagh Lagan and starring the captivating Miriam Grace, Mrs. President offers an emotional, powerful performance.

Dear England

Olivier Theatre
National Theatre
South Bank, London SE1 9PX

This four-part theatrical series by James Graham, directed by Rupert Goold, follows England’s football team in real time.

Initially starring Joseph Fiennes as Gareth Southgate, the show chronicled England’s road to the 2024 European Championship, culminating in heartbreak. Despite securing silver, the loss shattered the country’s hopes and led to Southgate’s resignation.

In the new version, Gwilym Lee (Bohemian Rhapsody) takes on the role of Southgate, portraying a wounded lion leaving his pride.

The previous version was recorded—so you can revisit the past while watching the new chapter unfold live.